Fedor Emelianenko, Shinya Aoki likely for 'DREAM: New Year! 2011'

New Year’s Eve will apparently have a very familiar feel for mixed martial arts fans.

Longtime PRIDE veteran Fedor Emelianenko (32-4), who fought five times for the promotion on year-end shows, and Japanese superstar Shinya Aoki (29-5), a four-time year-end fighter, each appear likely to fight at this year’s “DREAM: Fight for Japan. How are you! New Year! 2011.” fight card.

The tentative additions were announced on Monday’s new edition of “Inside MMA,” HDNet’s MMA news series.

The event takes place Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the event will air live on HDNet.

In addition to MMA fights, the event is expected to feature K-1,
kickboxing, pro-wrestling and other competitions as part of a stacked
lineup.

Emelianenko’s booking comes on the heels of a weekend win over Jeff Monson at an M-1 Global card. “The Last Emperor” battled through consecutive losses to Dan Henderson, Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum, leaving some to wonder if he had any fight left in the tank, but it appears the 35-year-old Russian will carry on.

Japanese judoka Satoshi Ishii (4-1-1) appears to be the leading candidate for Emelianenko’s opponent.

Meanwhile, Aoki brings a six-fight win streak to the cage. While a 2010 loss to Gilbert Melendez under the Strikeforce banner is still fresh in many MMA fans’ minds, Aoki is 9-1 in his past 10 fights. The submission ace fought most recently in September, when he submitted former WEC champ “Razor” Rob McCullough in the first round of a DREAM.17 contest.

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